The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is a national, public, 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to curing Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) through research. FARA grants and activities provide support for basic and translational FA research, pharmaceutical/ biotech drug development, clinical trials, and scientific conferences. FARA also serves as a catalyst, between the public and scientific community, to create worldwide exchanges of information that drive medical advances.

FARA was founded in September 1998 by a group of patient families and three of the world’s leading FA scientists — Drs. Rob Wilson, Bronya Keats, and Massimo Pandolfo. It was staffed and managed as an all volunteer organization until late 2005. FARA's leadership and numerous patient families and friends have raised critical funds over the years to support FA research. Thanks to the brilliant and committed efforts of many FA scientists, we now understand the cause of FA and specific mechanisms leading to damage in FA patients. These understandings allow for more targeted approaches to treatment which are currently being developed for clinical trials.

Clinical Trials

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Non Profit

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Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA)

Jen Farmer

Tony Plohoros

Sanjay Bidichandani

Sandy Lane

Rochelle Litke

Louise Schnaufer

Katherine Mathews

Jennifer L. Good

James Mcarthur

Holly Hedrick

Alex Fielding

Ron Bartek

Barbara Tate

The Directors Team at FARA oversees strategic planning and organizational leadership, ensuring the alignment of research and funding initiatives with the organization's mission to cure Friedreich’s ataxia. They provide governance, set priorities for research grants, foster partnerships with scientific and pharmaceutical communities, coordinate global initiatives, and represent the organization in public and professional forums.

Directors Team

Communications and Social Media Team

Leadership Team

Directors Team

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Other teams at Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA)

Communications and Social Media Team

Leadership Team